Get a free trial until June 30, 2026!
New members get full access to our science units, hands-on activities, mini-lessons, & more!

New members get a full, free trial through June 2026!
Back > Share
¿Una montaña dura para siempre?
Earth's Natural Resources Unit | Lesson 3 of 4

Spanish narration on!

Click play to start.

Back > Share

¿Una montaña dura para siempre?

Earth's Natural Resources Unit | Lesson 3 of 4
Lesson narration:
English Spanish
Scroll for prep
Video trouble?

CONVERSEMOS:

Aquí está un primer plano de uno de los árboles antes de que lo quitaran. ¿Qué crees que está pasando? ¿Qué crees que le pasó a esta pirámide?

treebeforeremoval

Video trouble?

CONVERSEMOS:

¿Alguna vez alguien te ha dicho que no pongas un refresco en el congelador? ¿Por qué dice eso la gente?

Video trouble?

CONVERSEMOS:

¿Qué tipos de experimentos podrías hacer para descubrir que sucede cuando una roca cae por la ladera de una montaña?

Video trouble?
Paso
01/14
Encuentra un compañero o compañera con quién trabajar.
Video trouble?
Paso
02/14
Obtén estos materiales. Cada grupo necesita estas cosas.
Video trouble?
Paso
03/14
Agarra uno de los cubos de azúcar y contesta las preguntas
número uno y dos. Puedes dibujar todo el cubo o solo uno
de sus lados.
Video trouble?
Paso
04/14
Escojan un cubo de azúcar para cada persona y coloreen las
orillas de esta forma.
Video trouble?
Paso
05/14
Cuenta cuántas orillas tiene un cubo de azúcar. Escribe la
respuesta en la pregunta número tres.
Video trouble?
Paso
06/14
Decide quién será el Agitador y quién será el Contador para
la primera prueba.
Video trouble?
Paso
07/14
Agitador: coloca un cubo colorido y todos los cubos sin colores
en el contenedor. Deja un cubo colorido en el plato.
Video trouble?
Paso
08/14
Ahora hagan la primera prueba. Agitador: Agita el contenedor
40 veces, contando en voz alta.
Video trouble?
Paso
09/14
Agitador: abre el contenedor y pon los cubos en el plato.
Agitador y Contador: escriban cómo han cambiado los cubos.
Video trouble?
Paso
10/14
Contador: Agarra el cubo colorido que agitaron. Cuenta cuántas
orillas todavía tienen color. Ambos deben escribir el resultado.
Video trouble?
Paso
11/14
Agitador: pon los cubos que acabas de agitar dentro del
contenedor de nuevo. Asegúrate de cerrar bien la tapa.
Video trouble?
Paso
12/14
Cambien de rol y terminen las hojas de estadísticas, incluyendo
las preguntas del número 5 al número 10. Cuando todos hayan
terminado, vayan a la siguiente página.
Video trouble?
Paso
13/14
Platiquen sobre estas preguntas con toda la clase (1 de 2).
Video trouble?
Paso
14/14
Platiquen sobre esta pregunta con toda la clase (2 de 2).
Video trouble?
Slide Image
Slide Image

montaña


1 de 8

un área de tierra elevada con lados empinados
Slide Image

desgaste


2 de 8

el proceso de romper rocas en pedazos más pequeños
Slide Image

cuña de raíz


3 de 8

cuando el crecimiento de una raíz causa que se rompa una piedra
Slide Image

congelación


4 de 8

cuando un líquido se convierte en un sólido, como cuando el agua líquida se convierte en hielo
Slide Image

cuña de hielo


5 de 8

cuando el agua se congela y se expande causando que una roca se rompa

erosión


6 de 8

el movimiento de pedacitos de piedra de un lugar a otro mediante el agua, el viento, el hielo, o la gravedad
Video trouble?
Slide Image

modelo


7 de 8

una versión de mentiras de algo que los científicos usan cuando la cosa de verdad es algo demasiado grande, pequeño, o complicado para poder usarlo en sus estudios
Slide Image

experimento


8 de 8

una prueba que se usa para descubrir más información sobre una pregunta
🎉 That’s it for this lesson! How did it go?
Sign up now for more great lessons!
Sign up

Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Lesson Image
El Capitan by Octagon , used under CC BY
Exploration
Everest by Luca Galuzzi , used under CC BY-SA
space view by NASA
Halfdome by Scott Catron , used under CC BY-SA
Mt. San Jacinto by Wattewyl , used under CC BY
Great Pyramid of Giza by Wknight94 , used under CC BY-SA
Chichen Itza by Christine Zenino , used under CC BY
light brick wall by Titus Tscharntke
Complejo Danta by Ronyrocael , used under CC BY-SA
El Mirador by Geoff Gallice , used under CC BY
Copan ruins by Matthias Hiltner , used under CC BY
Puna lava flow by DVIDSHUB , used under CC BY
Annona Atemoya seeds by takoradee , used under CC BY-SA
cement texture by Titus Tscharntke
El Tigre pyramid by Dennis Jarvis , used under CC BY-SA
Temple of Nohoch Mul by Vin Crosbie , used under CC BY-ND
pavement by Simon Law , used under CC BY-SA
sidewalk & tree roots by Doug Caldwell , used under CC BY
cracked brick wall by debs-eye , used under CC BY
refrigerator by Juan de Vojníkov , used under CC BY-SA
soda can by Ryan McGilchrist , used under CC BY-SA
frozen soda can by William Brawley , used under CC BY
explosion in freezer by mrsparks , used under CC BY-SA
frozen bottle by baronsquirrel , used under CC BY
broken rock by Till Niermann , used under CC BY-SA
weathered rock by Natursicilia , used under CC BY-SA
rock parts by Lamiot , used under CC BY
Mount Hood by Thomas Shahan , used under CC BY
Mont Saint Honorat by Zil , used under CC BY-SA
jagged rocks by Peretz Partensky , used under CC BY-SA
Nuna Island by Kim Hansen , used under CC BY-SA
Activity
horses by Ben Salter , used under CC BY
pencil by Charm
Other
pebble beach by Paul Allison , used under CC BY-SA
Credits

Featured Reviews

“The kids loved shaking the sugar cubes and easily made connections to their learning. ”
· Carmen · Teacher
“The activity was awesome! It really demonstrated how rocks erode.”
· Terri · Teacher
“Awesome lesson. Really demonstrated how weathering and erosion take place over time. ”
· David · Teacher
“This was an awesome lesson, and my students enjoyed shaking the cubes. The directions allowed me to keep everyone at the same spot.”
· Stacie · Teacher
“We had so many great discussions about the power of water, seeds, erosion, and so much more! Great lesson!”
· Jennifer · Homeschooler
“The best part was the experiment. When the students saw how the sugar cubes where changing their shape then they had a better understanding of what happens to a mountain.”
· Miriam · Teacher
“Students were engaged and excited when they could physically see what was happening after each time the sugar cubes were shaken! ”
· Katie · Teacher
“The children loved seeing the pyramids and the effects of the trees growing through, around, etc. Doing the sugar cube experiment was especially fun and they actually got to see the changes made in the cubes and relate it to rocks.”
· Linda · Teacher
“Great lesson! My entire class of 29 students was engaged from start to end. Easy to follow instructions.”
· Jade · Teacher
“My students loved the activity. They really liked the experiment. The videos were informative too. This has been one of my class's favorite experiments. ”
· Olivia · Teacher
“Shaking the cubes and seeing what happened, also being ok being wrong in predictions - we all make mistakes.”
· Rebekah · Homeschooler
“My students really liked comparing the shaken cubes to the one left out, they could see how the edges become rounded and "eroded". Much more fun than dragging out the rock tumbler and waiting days for a result!”
· · Teacher
“The students LOVED that their predictions were no where near the actual results. ...And they were okay with it!”
· Staci · Teacher
“We loved this mystery! The students enjoyed brainstorming experiments, and were very scientific while completing sugar shake. Mystery Science continues to be an asset as it keeps the students excited about learning.”
· Marie · Teacher
“Absolutely love your website & service so far! The kids loved the intro lesson with the videos and discussion questions. Then we did the Sugar Shake today and they had a blast. Love the step-by-step video instructions, and the easy to do experiment. Keep the topics coming!!!”
· Victoria · Teacher
“I loved the video that helped give background knowledge and allowed them to share their ideas with each other. Very interactive! Gave the students a sense of how rocks can break down due to erosion.”
· Andrea · Teacher
“It's always awesome with Mystery Science! The kids love it and I do too! ”
· Alison · Teacher
“The kids loved sugar shake and understood the concept of erosion. ”
· Crystal · Teacher
“This was a great hands-on lesson for getting the point across AND the wiggles out! We substituted what we had on-hand (M&Ms) and were still able see the effect of "weathering."”
· Julie · Homeschooler
“LOADS of "connections" for our weathering focus.”
· Sharon · Teacher
“the extended lesson with beans made a huge impact”
· Diane · Teacher
“Kids liked the sugar shaking and it was well structured with partners switching off tasks.”
· Alisha · Teacher
“They loved to watch the erosion first hand. The activities are engaging but the follow up activities are just a great.”
· Jodi · Teacher
“I loved the idea of marking the edges of the sugar cube. This really helped the students see the weathering that was taking place.”
· Darcie · Teacher
“The stopping for discussion questions. We also took it a step farther by designing our own experiments for rock tumbling - engineering! I love how clear and focused the lesson/narration are, and how they relate to the slides, videos and photos. The step by step directions for the activity are phenomenal and get my students engaged and thinking about the content. Keep the NGSS related lessons coming!!! Thanks.”
· Michelle · Teacher
“I like the lessons because they are very hands-on, and the students also have to get into the habit of recording their observations as they go, and then use that data to answer questions.The videos are awesome too! We replayed the landslides in the next lesson over and over again.”
· Amy · Teacher
“Students made great conclusions about the process of erosion. They loved the sugar shake. I was impressed with how much learning took place.”
· Karen · Teacher
“The sugar shake was the best part!!! They loved it and it made the experience SO memorable!”
· Christa · Teacher
“The step by step directions were perfect. The video complimented the work we were doing in class on the processes which shape the Earth.”
· Atra · Teacher
“This is the best site ever! My students were completely engaged and even I learned quite a bit. I'm looking forward to more and more units. Great real life video and I love the experiments and open endedness that's given to the students.”
· · Teacher
“The lesson was super engaging, the kids really enjoyed the experiment. This lesson, like others got my kids interacting more with each other more than they do in other subject areas. ”
· Lorenzo · Teacher
“I can't get over how attentive the kids are during these lessons. ”
· Brittany · Teacher
“The kids loved shaking the "rocks" and were able to make great connections to the learning in other parts of the day. Over recess, they brought in rocks and we tried to determine whether they were top of the mountain or bottom of the mountain rocks. ”
· Tarehna · Teacher
“My students loved the experiment! Once again simple prep and it created inquisitive students! Thanks!”
· Laura · Teacher
“The visuals were easy to unstand, complex enough but not cluttered. The story was interesting and slow moving enough for the kiddos to grasp the concepts. All of my students were successful, from my lowest achievers to my most talented thinkers.”
· Patti · Teacher
“The kids loved the activity! Very simple, yet effective.”
· Jennifer · Teacher
“I loved how it brought you through the activity step by step and showed video that would replay of how to do each step. Some of my students really needed that visual. My students loved it!! They were very engaged and excited :) ”
· Kristina · Teacher
“This was my time using Mystery Science, and it was a great experience. Students scored better on my assessment and were more engaged throughout the entire lesson. I will be using this resource far more often in the future. ”
· Seth · Teacher
“The students loved every activity in this unit. They were spot on with what needed to be taught and everything was right there, the clips, guides, assessments. Awesome!”
· Loni · Teacher
“Wow! Great visual with the sugar cubes! It was loud, exciting, and highly engaging! We LOVED it!!!”
· Holly · Teacher
“I really liked the activity and the question it posed to the kids. It did a great job of leading the kids to think about how they could have changed or adapted the experiment.”
· Kathy · Teacher
“Students were engaged throughout the whole lesson. I love the ease of planning and gathering materials for this unit!”
· Donna · Teacher
“This resource is AMAZING! Truly grab n'go. My students learned so much and had a great time.”
· Anne · Teacher
“I am in love with Mystery Science! You guys are awesome!!!!”
· Jenny · Teacher
“Hearing the students discuss the various changes occurring with their sugar cubes and making comparisons to what must happen to real rocks. ”
· Jenifer · Teacher
“One of our favorite lessons yet! The kids were so excited about root and ice wedging they wanted to go right outside to find examples of that in our own yard and driveway. The sugar cube experiment was a huge hit. Thanks for another fun and educational science lesson!”
· Kira · Homeschooler
“So detailed - the instructions for the activity were very specific - just like I would have given! LOVE it!”
· Natalie · Teacher
“The kids totally understood that the sugar cubes were standing in for real rocks, and that the action of shaking them should mimic the motion of rocks tumbling down a mountainside. They decided they should all shake up and down, because that was closer to what a real rock would do coming down the mountain. I didn't expect that strong of a connection, but they got it on their own! I feel like they are becoming scientific thinkers and I love it!”
· Monica · Teacher
“The students were actively involved. They loved the SUgar Shake! The Yosemite video left quite an impression on my third graders. This Mystery was great to show the scientific method in practice. We intend to use more of these lessons!”
· Sally · Teacher
“The best part was the gasp of realization that the cracks in our sidewalks are caused by root wedging. The students couldn't stay quiet in line the next time we walked to another part of the school, pointing out the trees nearby as the culprits of the sidewalk cracks!”
· Amelia · Teacher
“It came down to the activity tying all the complex ideas together. Super engaging and clearly demonstrated the answer to the question that mountains can't last forever. My students are loving these lessons, well organized with integrated technology as well as tons of extension and reading materials. ”
· Kelly · Teacher
“LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! SO MUCH LEARNING! They are off to try it with rocks and sugar, rocks and croutons, and go outside to look for rock slides like Yosemite National Park. We live in the Piedmont! We can take Skyline Drive and look rock slides... I'm scared with that windy road right under the mountain sides. ”
· Samantha · Homeschooler
“Finally! My students were able to see how root/ice wedging work. It is such a difficult concept to explain or find visuals for, but this mystery has perfect visuals built in! I have never had more engagement, at any given time I had 15+ hands in the air!”
· Kara · Teacher
“It makes it so much easier to understand the scientific method. I need to teach my second class now.”
· Susan · Teacher
“A smart way to represent erosion and weathering. A lesson the students will always remember.”
· Erica · Teacher
“Awesome Lesson. Could of definitely had this as a back up emergency lesson it was SO fail proof! LOVED IT!! ”
· Laura · Teacher
“Great visuals and wonderful explanations. I love the advice to go out and see seed wedging in action.”
· Niesha · Homeschooler
“I am continually impressed by the lessons on Mystery Science. My children are fully engaged in the lessons each time. I didn't expect my children to like brainstorming because its not as hands on. They really got into their creative mode and had of fun!”
· Katrina · Homeschooler
“Inquiry throughout! My students were engaged, and loved the sugar cube exploration!”
· Kara · Teacher
“Fabulous! The timing of the videos, the vocabulary used,and the facts. My students are psyched to do it again. ”
· Tammy · Teacher
“As a former science teacher, now homeschooling my son, I am LOVING these lessons! The science is solid, and the content is engaging. My son loves it (especially when my hypothesis was "wrong" he loves explaining to me why I was wrong lol). He's learning a lot, and having fun, too!”
· Erin · Homeschooler
“Awesome~! Love that it doesn't cost a lot to do these experiments and they are step by step! So teacher friendly. One of the best sites I have found in 25 years of teaching Elem Science.”
· Michelle · Teacher
Lesson narration:
English Spanish

Grade 4

Earth's Natural Resources

Weathering & Erosion

4-ESS2-1

Activity Prep

Print Prep
In this lesson, students will explore how solid rock breaks apart into smaller pieces through a process called weathering (including root-wedging and ice-wedging). In the activity, Sugar Shake, students use sugar cubes as a model for rocks. They perform an experiment with this model to understand the process of weathering and how this process explains why rocks at the tops of mountains are jagged, while those at the bottom are rounded.
Preview activity

I have a Mystery Pack

Sugar Shake Data worksheet 30 copies
Markers
Washable. Do not use permanent marker.
Details
30 markers
Paper Plates
15 plates
Plastic Containers w/ Lids
15 containers
Sugar Cubes
75 cubes
Prep Instructions

We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students can work on their own.

Each pair of students will experiment with 5 sugar cubes. You may want to count out 5 sugar cubes and place each on a paper plate prior to class for easier distribution.

Exploration

20 mins

Hands-On Activity

45 mins

Grade 4

Earth's Natural Resources

Weathering & Erosion

4-ESS2-1

Slow internet or video problems?
Credits
 
Natural Resources Tx Lesson 3: Will a mountain last forever?

How did the lesson go?
Terrible OK Good Great Terrific!

How can we improve it?

If you'd like our team to reply to you, please Contact Support instead.

Thanks for your feedback! If you have a question or need help, please contact us. Please consider sharing your review:

Sorry the lesson didn’t go well. We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.

Thanks for letting us know. We’ll wait to ask you for feedback until after you've actually taught it.

Thanks for the feedback! We read every single review in an effort to improve our Mysteries.

Is the video not playing properly?

Please follow these steps:

  1. Very rarely a video will fail to completely load in your browser. Try to reload this page to see if that fixes the problem.
  2. If reloading does not help, try our other video player .
  3. If the video still fails to play, open this video in a new tab and please let us know you’re having trouble. We want to fix this issue for you.

Close

How can we help you?

💡For purchasing info, see our Pricing Page

This episode is locked

This lesson is not included in your limited access.

View pricing

This episode is locked

Your membership is expired. The archive of past Mini Lessons is not included in your limited access.

View pricing